Race game or toy.



No. 850,914. i PATENTED APR.23, 1907. H. EGG.

RAGE GAME 0R TOY.

AIiLIOATIQN FILED JAN.13, 190s.

UNITED STATES I HAROLD EGG, OF SYDENHAM, ENGLAND.

RACE GAME OR TOY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 23, 1907.

Application filed January 13,1906. Serial No. 295,933.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HAROLD EGG, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at 47 Knighton Park road, SydenhamS. E, England, have invented a certain new and useful Improved Race Game and Toy, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to race games and the like in which one, two, or more figures or models of animals,.yachts, motor-cars, or other objects are made to travel along a track, course, or the like.

According to the invention figures, are caused to move along a track or course through the relative movement toward or away from each other of two supporting-surfaces, one of which forms the track or course,

and respectively disposed in different planes in such manner that the figures are supported by these surfaces alternately and at points successively in advance of each other, the forward movement of the figures resulting by reason of their weight acting in one direction on the relative movement of the re spective surfaces toward each other, whereby the upper extremity of the respective figures assumes a position in front of its lower extremity due to the relative downward movement of the upper supporting surface or track, while on the separation of the surfaces the lower extremity of the respective figures moves forward and the figures then assume their normal position under the action of gravity, ready again to be projected forward upon the relative movement toward each other of the respective supporting-surfaces.

Figure 1 is a plan of oneform of game apparatus or toy constructed according to the.

invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional end view of same. Figs. 3 and 4 are similar views, respectively showing a modification. Fig. 5 is a detail View of one of the figures and illustrates the manner in which the figures are caused to move along through the relative movement of the supportingsurfaces, and Fig. 6 is a detail'part of the toy shown in Figs. 1 and 2. I

In carrying out the invention the upper track or course a of suitable size and shape, made of leather-board or other suitable material, is flexibly connected at b to the lower surface or track 0. The tracks a and c are bent or hinged at d and e, respectively, so that they may be brought in use approximately into the positions shown in Figs. 2 and 4:.

The upper track or course a is provided with slots f, which form guideways along which the figures are moved. These slots f may be of any number and cut or formed to any desirable and suitable shape. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, three slots may be provided on each side of the upper bend or hinge (1, meeting each other, so as to join and form a single slot f at one end of the track a. In order to strengthen the track when out in this manner, a central piece 9 may be provided depending from the upper bend d, and in order to guide the piece 9 when the tracks are moved, as will be hereinafter described, a slot or aperture 9 may be provided extending along part of the lower bend e.

The figures or objects it are cut or stamped out to the desired shape in paper-board, metal, or any other suitable material. The upper part h of the figures illustrates any desired object and is preferably constructed larger and heavier than the lower part. As shown in Fig. 5, the figure is shaped so that when it is in an approximate vertical position and supported only at the base it has a tendency to fall forward by gravity. The figures are provided with a lateral projection or projections 72?, forming bearing ledges or shoulders adapted to rest upon the upper track a when the figures are inserted in the slots f.

The method in which the figures are caused to move along the track is as follows: The figures h are inserted at one end of the slots f, so that their shoulders 7L rest on the upper track or course a, and their lower or narrower ends. touch'the upper sloping surface of the lower track 0. The upper andlower tracks are now brought slightly toward each other, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2, by depressing the ends of the track slightly with the hands, either at the top and bottom corners or bends d e or the side corners or bends 1), suitable extensions 0 being provided for the purpose. By this movement the figures are supported by the lower track a, and their shoulders h, are raised from the upper track a, whereby by reason of the distribution of weight of the figures, as above mentioned, the figures fall forward. The tracks are now brought into their original positions, as shown in full lines in Fig. 2, whereupon the figures are supported by their shoulders k on the track a at a point in front of their center of gravity, as shown at h Fig. 5. The figures now assume an approximately vertical position again in advance of that previously occupied, their lower ends sliding along the bottom track a. A continuance of the movements described causes the figures to move along the course.

In order to assist the movement of the figures, the tracks or surfaces 0 can be provided with corrugations 0 Figs. 2 and 5; but this.

is inessential.

It will be understood that the course may be provided in a number of ways for use in different games as may be desired. For instance, the objects may be caused to be moved along the slotsf, Fig. 1, on one side of the track a, then along the single slot f and into the slots f on the other side of the track. In order to permit the figures to travel along the single slot f, so as to pass to the other side, the central depending piece g is cut away, as shown at 9 Fig. 6. Further, small obstacles may, if desired, be provided and placed or printed on the course. For instance, loose rings or pegs'i, Figs. 3 and 4, may be arranged along the course, the object of the game being to cause the figure (which may represent a horseman provided with a spear) to pick up the rings or pegs t as it is moved along the track.

It is preferred in the use of the apparatus, as, for example, illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, for it to be used alternately by the respective players, the objects of the game preferably being for each of the two players to score with one figure by the taking up of all the loose rings or pegs by that figure and by its arriving first at the end of the track. Any rings or pegs taken up by the other figure is to be deducted from the score.

If the tracks or courses provided, as shown in the drawings, are made of leather-board or similar material, the whole will pack fiat if folded at the opposite bends or corners for carrying and storing; but it will be understood that the apparatus instead of being made as described in Figs. 1 to 4 may be provided of a single piece of board bent at the corners, the respective extremities being secured together along one longitudinal line.

It will be understood that .the relative movement of the top and bottom tracks may be effected in various other ways Without departing from the principle of the invention. For instance, the upper track or course may be fixed in the required osition and movement imparted only to t e lower track or a series of lower racks and by means of keys or levers and connected mechanisms. The invention also can be used for advertising purposes by printing or otherwise marking the figures and the track or course.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A game or toy consisting in combination of figures or objects, supporting-surfaces for said objects one of each surfaces supporting the objects at the bottom and the other near the top, and means for moving said surfaces toward or away from each other. i

I 2. A game or toy consisting in combination of two hinged tracks or surfaces in the upper surface of which slots are provided,

figures or objects inserted in said slots and supported upon the lower surface and shoulders or projections provided upon said figures and adapted to rest on the upper supporting surface or track, so that by the relative movement of the two supporting-sun faces the figures are alternately supported by their shoulders and their lower extremities upon the upper and lower supporting-surfaces and are thus caused to move along the upper supporting surface or track, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HAROLD EGG.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM EDWARD EvANs, EVAN THOMAS. 

